Ways to Save Money on Your Vacation

Traveling to foreign countries is an amazing experience that can enrich your life. Unfortunately, it can also be quite the expense. Because most people are not rich with lots of money to burn, it is important to find ways to save money when you travel. There are a number of simple things that any person can do prior to going on a vacation that will result in a significant savings of money. The tips listed in this article should become a habit for you during your life. Every time you are getting ready to plan a trip, these tips should instantly pop into your mind. Here are some ways to save money on your vacation.

1. Shop around for hotels

All hotels are not created equal. There is a wide variety to choose from. You will find that many hotels that are similar in the amenities they offer have prices that vary greatly. You should never assume that similar hotels will charge similar prices. This assumption has been causing people to waste money for many years. Most hotels have their own websites these days, so it is not a difficult task to look around online and compare the various rates for yourself. Some hotels may not list their prices online. In these cases, you will need to request their rates by email. You will be able to find many affordable hotels in Paris by shopping around.

2. Always book your flight in advance

Millions of travelers every year make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to book their flights. In some cases, this is unavoidable. However, many of these people could have easily booked their flights in advance, but they were too lazy to do so. Procrastinating when it comes to booking a flight will cost you a significant amount of money. The farther in advance you book a flight, the more money you will be able to save. The price will continue to go down as far back as six months before the scheduled departure date of a flight.

3. Be flexible about when you can fly

There are many variables that can often lower the amount of your plane ticket. Many of these variables have to do with the times of your flight. For example, if you do not mind taking a “red eye” flight that is scheduled in the middle of the night, your ticket price will be lower. This is because many people do not like to fly at night, so airlines often have a hard time filling these flights. You should also make your plans so that your departing and returning flights are Monday – Thursday. These are the cheapest days to travel. If you book your flight far enough in advance, you should have no problem selecting the exact times and days for your flights. The closer you get to your departure date, the more difficult this will become.

4. Baggage and leg room

Airlines are trying to squeeze every nickel out of their customers these days. If you request a seat in the same aisle as the emergency exit because it offers additional leg room, this will cost you more money. Many airlines are also charging money for every checked piece of baggage. Make sure to check the policies of each airline before your fight.

This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the most comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.